Health Library

Good Body Mechanics for Health Care Workers

At work, you perform many tasks every day that could cause back injury. These include repetitive lifting, prolonged standing, bending, reaching, pushing, and pulling. Protect your back by using good body mechanics to maintain the 3 natural curves of your spine.

A Balanced Spine

A balanced spine is made of bones (vertebrae) and pads of cartilage (disks) arranged in 3 natural curves.

Your lower back (lumbar curve) carries more than its fair share, balancing your entire upper body. This extra load and the mobility of the lumbar curve make it the most susceptible to injury.

Using Good Body Mechanics

Moving your body correctly is a skill that requires your constant attention. How well you perfect the skill can mean the difference between a fatigued or injured back and a healthy back. Below are a few tips to help you use good body mechanics: